Willie Adams, Paine College’s newly appointed head women’s basketball coach received the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Black College Associations Achieving Coaching Excellence program June 15-18, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The original concept of Achieving Coaching Excellence (ACE) was forged for the benefit of 25 black football coaches who convened at Stanford University in 1994. This professional development model stemmed from the collective efforts of Mike Brown and Ron Thomas of The Sports Institute and Stanford's Kevin Anderson, currently the Director of Athletics at the United States Military Academy, Ted Leland and the late legendary Bill Walsh.

In 2002, the ACE concept model was modified and adopted by Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) to meet the needs of ethnic minority collegiate women's basketball coaches. With additional support of the NCAA Office of Diversity and Inclusion, BCA expanded the BCA ACE program with the addition of an ACE for ethnic minority collegiate men's basketball coaches program in 2007. Today, the BCA ACE program remains committed to preparing the next generation of ethnic minority collegiate head basketball coaches.

Adams stated, “I truly learned a lot about myself at the ACE program. Planning, time, and game management are some of the most important concepts that must be applied in order to have a successful athletic program. I met some of the “Games” most knowledgeable people who give so much to this game. The Felecia Hall’s Mariana Freeman’s, Floyd Keith’s, and Kennedy Wells, all who have done so much for minority coaches.” “I developed friendships that will last a lifetime, and this program let’s me know that there are still some good hard working Americans out there willing to help people accomplish their dreams.”

The Brunswick, Georgia native is 1996 graduate of Paine College where he served as team captain for the Lions from 1993-1994 and was a member of the schools first men’s basketball championship. Coach Adams has just completed his 14th year as assistant men’s basketball coach and 12th year as head women’s cross country and track and field coach. He is the son of Legendary Theresa Adams, head girls basketball coach and cross country and track and field coach at Glynn Academy High School in Brunswick, Georgia. Adams is married to Mrs. Cekishia Adams.

Coach Adams thanks Mr. Ronnie O. Spry, Director of Athletics and Dr. George C. Bradley, President for assisting in affording me the opportunity to attend this inspiring professional development series.

The ACE program is administered by BCA and supported by NCAA. The program is designed to enhance an already talented group of ethnic minority collegiate basketball coaches to become the next generation of collegiate head basketball coaches.